Bustle



(No Model.)

. M. B. HAMMOND;

BUSTLEJ Patented Nov 15, 1887.

N4 PETERa Pnulnilhuwp er. Wnhingmn. Did

UNITED STATES PATENT Erica.

M. BURDETTE HAMMOND, or BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

BUSTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 373,286, dated November 15, 1887.

Application tiled May 31, 1887. Serial No. 239,802. (No model.)

.To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, M. BURDETTE HAM: MOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairlield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Bustles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,.and exact description of the.

invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to the construction of folding bustles, and has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive construction that may be readily folded, and that, in both the expanded and collapsed positions, will have increased strength at the upper portion thereof, so that there will be no possibility of the bustle becoming crushed or bent in the slightest by the weight of a heavy dress.

With these ends in view I have devised the simple and novel construction, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, numbers being used to denote the several parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective illustrating my improved bustlein the distended position, and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing it in the collapsed position.

1 denotes the belt, and 2 strips connecting the bustle to the belt.

3 denotes the foundation-piece, which extends upward from the bottom at each side of the bustle and across the top of the bustle.

4 denotes ribs eyeleted, pivoted, or otherwise loosely secured to the foundation-piece, and 5 denotes a stay-piece, which extends upward from the bottom of the bustle in the distended position and'curves over at the top, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the normal position of the stay-piece being, in fact, parallel or substantially parallel with the foundationpiece. This stay-piece is eyeleted, riveted, or otherwise secured to each of the ribs at each side of the bustle. Any number of ribs may of course be used, depending upon the style and shape of the bustle.

6 is a supplemental rib, the opposite ends of which are pivoted to the stay-piece, and which lies between the stay-piece and the upper rib.

the stay-piece, supplemental rib, or ribs, if more than one are used, and each of the ribs I proper of the bustle. It should be noted that each of the connections of the ribs, supplemental ribs, stay-piece, and foundation-piece to each other is a loose-that is, a pivot-connection, so that when the bust-1e is pressed inward the parts will fold readily over each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

8 denotes an adjusting cord extending across the bustle and connecting the opposite sides of the foundation-piece, so that the width ofthe bustle may be readily adjusted to suit the taste of the wearer or the style of the dress.

The operation of folding is similar to that of other bustles oithis class, and will be readily understood from Fig. 2. In order to return the bustle to the distended position after it has been collapsed, any ordinary means may be usedfor example, springs 9, at opposite sides of the bustle, which extend diagonally from one rib near the foundation-piece to a rib above it, but are attached to the upper rib some distance out toward the back, as shown in Fig. 1. This spring may be a piece of elastic or a coiled spring, and may be placed outside of the stay-piece, as at the right in Fig. 1, or inside of the stay-piece, as at the left in Fig. 1. The foundatioupiece, stay-piece, and the ribs may be made of any ordinary or preferred materialas round, fiat, or twin wire.

In my improved bustle twin wire will be found to have ample strength for the purpose required. The effect of the stay-piece is to give great strength to that portion of the bustle where most strength is requiredthat is, at the top of the bustle, but some distance out from the belt.

In my improved bustle the weight of the heaviest cloth dresses will have no effect what- ICO details of construction may be greatly varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim- 1. A folding bustle consisting of a foundn tion;piece, a series of ribs pivotally connected thereto, it stay-piece extending over the top and pivotally connected to each rib on opposite sides thereof, a strip connecting the ribs with the foundation-piece, and springs by which the bustle is returned to the distended position.

2. The foundation -piece, substantially as described, the ribs pivotally connected thereto, and the stay-piece extending over the top of the hustle and pivotally connected to the ribs on opposite sides, in combination with a supplemental rib pivoted to the stay-piece, a connecting-strip, and springs for returning the bustle to the distended position.

3. In afolding bustle, the combination, with a foundation-piece, ribs pivotully connected thereto, and a strip connecting the ribs with the fonndation-piece, of a stay-piece, 5, pivotally connected to the ribs on opposite sides thereof and curving over at the top to form a support for the dress in use.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

M. BURDETTE HAMMOND.

W'itnesses:

A. M. Woosrnn, O. E. RUGGLEs. 

